VPI Classic or Notthingham Hyperspace?

let me give you a different perspective.

I have not heard or seen a VPI Classic, but I do own a SSM Ref with rim drive and super platter. VPI is a very direct, immediate, and lively sounding TT, JMW 10 arm (or any JMW arms) is a pain to adjust if you are a perfectionist and want to get azimuth perfect. if you have suspended floor and subject to vibration from foot fall, VPI is not the table for you because JMW arm will rock side to side for seconds every time there is a low bass energy.

I also own a Hyperspace with 12" Anna arm. Hyperspace is dead quiet, the huge platter with graphite mat really lowers the noise floor. the motor noise is never heard, bearing is very precisely milled so platter spins very quietly. in fact, I think Hyperspace is quieter than VPI SSM overall. the arm like many pointed out, could sound a bit soft. but if you couple it with the right cartridge, say a Lyra or Shelter which are known to be fast, dynamic, and a bit lean, you can achieve a superb tonal balance that's hard to be found elsewhere.

take notice the older Anna arm can't adjust azimuth, but you can get around the problem by adding blue tack or weight on either headshell or counterweight.

You must be kidding. Run, don't walk, back to your dealer and bring home the Hyperspace before someone else beats you to it. The price is a giveaway on a REAL turntable that will leave you with no reason to upgrade in the near, or far future.

I have the Hyperspace custom fitted with a Basis Vector 1 arm and Transfiquration Temper Supreme cartridge. I've never had it in any other configuration except without the wave mechanic when I first bought it. I've had it for some 6 or 7 years now and it still tickles me. It's wonderfully musical and gives a very insightfull view into recordings. You get used to the platter start up routine real fast and IMO you have to have the wave mechanic or some speed controller with it, at least in my neighborhood. It's extremely sensitive to VTA changes so get it right and you'll have virtually no maintanance.

To add to my previous reply.

Nottingham arm, though also uni-pivot, is much more stable than VPI JMW. I have never seen the arm rock side-to-side, image has been very stable for me.

In terms of service, both VPI and Nottingham are superb.

One thing I noticed about Hyperspace, the distance between motor and platter is very critical and you need a strobe disk/light to ensure it spins at the right speed.

Another thing to note is VPI Classic uses aluminum platter which some love and some dislike.

Thank you all very much for your replies and advice. I got a little overexcited seeing the table for the first time up close and, not being familiar with the NA line, I made a mistake identifying the model. It actually is the Space 294 turntable with the 12" Space tonearm, not the Hyperspace. Also, the actual price the store owner agreed on, is $3400, and not $3000, as the salesperson originally quoted. The reviews for this model seem to be overwhelmingly positive, but I wonder if you'd still recommend it over the Classic with this higher price.

If anyone owns or used to own the Space 294, please share your experience and advice.

Thank you!